Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 47 Summary
In “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Carrie grapples with her emotions as she reflects on her strained relationship with her son Lavern and his fiancée Marina. With their wedding just two days away, Carrie feels a deep sense of betrayal and frustration, believing her sacrifices as a mother have gone unrecognized. She confides in her friend Shawna, who proposes a devious plan to undermine Marina’s confidence and secure Lavern’s financial interests. Despite her initial skepticism, Carrie is drawn into the scheme, feeling the pressure of the impending wedding and the desire to protect her son’s future.
Meanwhile, Marina is busy preparing for the wedding, but her excitement is overshadowed by a sense of unease. She receives a threatening text from an unknown number, claiming to have incriminating evidence against the Ross Group, the company Lavern manages. As she contemplates the implications, Marina wrestles with her loyalty to Lavern and the potential fallout from his actions. Despite having divested her shares in the company, she feels a moral obligation to ensure Daron, her former partner, is not adversely affected by any illegal activities Lavern may be involved in.
As the day unfolds, Marina’s determination to gather the requested one million dollars intensifies. She recognizes the urgency of the situation and begins to collect the cash, all while feeling the weight of uncertainty and anxiety. The mysterious caller’s insistence on secrecy adds to her distress, leading her to question Lavern’s integrity and the stability of their future together. With time running out, Marina’s resolve strengthens as she prepares for the meeting, aware that her actions could have significant consequences for both her and Lavern.
The chapter culminates in a tense atmosphere as both Carrie and Marina navigate their respective dilemmas. Carrie’s internal conflict about betraying Marina clashes with her protective instincts as a mother, while Marina’s race against time to secure the money places her in a precarious position. The emotional stakes are high, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that could alter the course of their lives forever.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
Carrie felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her as she considered Shawna’s suggestion. The flicker of doubt in her eyes was unmistakable, a reflection of the internal battle raging within her.
It had been an eternity since Marina had last reached out to her. Not once in recent weeks had the girl picked up the phone, and Carrie couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Isn’t it always the parents who take charge when their son is about to marry?’
As she mulled over her thoughts, she couldn’t shake the bitter feeling that after all the sacrifices she’d made in raising Lavern, she was being denied the respect a mother rightfully deserved in his life.
‘This can’t continue,’ she thought fiercely. ‘I can’t allow Marina to walk all over me like this any longer.’
Turning to Shawna, Carrie’s expression hardened, her voice carrying a weight of seriousness as she inquired, “So, what devious schemes do you have lined up for her?”
With Lavern and Marina’s wedding just around the corner—merely two days away—Carrie harbored deep skepticism about Shawna’s ability to truly confront Marina.
Shawna’s lips curled into a mischievous grin as she leaned in conspiratorially, her breath warm against Carrie’s ear. “Honestly, I don’t have any tricks of my own. This whole plan was actually devised by one of Lavern’s friends.”
Carrie’s curiosity piqued. “And what’s this plan? You mean to say Marina won’t ever be able to stand tall in front of Lavern again? She’ll be at his command, doing his bidding?”
Shawna nodded with an air of confidence. “Absolutely.”
Carrie’s eyes widened, her skepticism momentarily replaced by intrigue. “Would she actually be willing to relinquish all the company’s assets?”
“Of course,” Shawna affirmed, but Carrie’s doubt remained palpable.
Shawna leaned closer, cupping her hand over her mouth as she began to share Hyman’s elaborate scheme. “You see, Lavern still has feelings for Marina. He wouldn’t want to go through with this plan if he knew it would hurt her.”
Carrie’s heart sank at the thought. She was acutely aware of Lavern’s lingering affection for Marina. If he discovered that she had allied with others to tarnish Marina’s reputation, he would likely despise her for it.
Noticing the hesitation etched across Carrie’s face, Shawna seized the moment to press on. “If you want to gain the upper hand against Marina, this is your only shot. Believe me, if she finds out about me and Lavern, she’ll go for half of everything he owns. As his mother, you’re the last line of defense; it’s your duty to safeguard his interests.”
Shawna was sharp; she knew that Carrie’s concerns were deeply rooted in financial security, and she artfully redirected the conversation back to that point. “Let’s be realistic here. Lavern doesn’t care for Marina the way he once did; if he did, I wouldn’t even be in the picture. He just needs a solid justification, something that allows him to keep the company without feeling guilty. Are you truly okay with Marina walking away with half of what Lavern built from the ground up?”
Carrie finally relented, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. With the wedding looming just a day away, she felt the urgency of their plan.
Meanwhile, Marina rose early, determined to ensure that everything was in order for the big day ahead. She meticulously checked her list, making certain that nothing was amiss. As she finalized her plans, she also booked her flight to Vrufield for the next afternoon.
This past month had been a whirlwind, and now, with the wedding finally approaching, she felt a mix of emotions. Was she excited? Or was it simply a sense of melancholy creeping in?
Just as she prepared to step out, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.
[I’ve got proof of everything Ross Group’s been up to; every illegal move they’ve made in the last six months. Ms. Finley, if you don’t want Ross Group to get exposed, bring one million in cash to Maple Retreat at 10 PM. And don’t even think about bringing anyone else. Come alone.]
Marina’s brow furrowed in confusion. She had personally reviewed the Ross Group’s financials; everything had seemed legitimate.
‘Could it be that Lavern has gotten himself involved in something illegal without my knowledge?’ she pondered anxiously.
Since Lavern had taken the reins of the Ross Group, he had been elevated by his friends, perhaps too much so. Caught in the whirlwind of admiration, he might have made decisions that jeopardized the company.
Marina had already divested her shares in Ross Group to Daron. Whatever unfolded with the company now was no longer her concern.
Yet, she couldn’t shake the nagging thought that she had handed those shares over to Daron. If the Ross Group crumbled after this, she would have essentially thrown him under the bus.
Marina had already devised a strategy to revive Finley Group. The first step in revitalizing the company was to mend the rift between the Finley and Zamora families.
The public declaration by the Zamora family to sever ties with the Finleys had dealt a significant blow to Finley Group’s reputation.
If Daron were to reconsider and partner with Finley Group again, it would provide reassurance to all those hesitant companies who had been waiting for a sign.
Daron had invested in Ross Group because he saw potential, but if the company were to collapse, those shares would become nothing more than worthless scraps of paper.
She couldn’t allow herself to betray Daron like that.
It wasn’t worth sacrificing a greater opportunity for a trivial victory.
Marina bit her lip, her resolve hardening as she dialed the mysterious number.
The call connected almost instantly. The voice on the other end was heavily distorted, making it impossible for Marina to identify who it was.
She pressed on with her questions, but with each inquiry, the caller’s annoyance became increasingly evident.
“If you don’t trust me, Ms. Finley, just wait for tomorrow’s headlines in Sicester. Consider it my wedding gift to you and Mr. Ross. It doesn’t bother me either way.”
Marina’s frown deepened, her grip on the phone tightening with frustration. Just as the caller was about to disconnect, she blurted out, “How can you expect me to just comply? One million is an enormous amount! It’ll take time to gather that kind of cash, and I can’t just act without at least informing Lavern, can I?”
The caller’s response was swift and sharp. “Absolutely not.”
Marina’s confusion was palpable. “No to what?”
The caller paused, their tone shifting from irritation to a more coaxing demeanor. “Ms. Finley, if Lavern has been making moves behind your back that could jeopardize the company, wouldn’t you want to gather all the evidence yourself? This way, when the moment comes, you’ll have something to use against him.”
“If you go to him now, you’ll lose your leverage. And I’ve heard whispers that Lavern has a side affair. Are you really going to trust him blindly and let your guard down?”
Marina fell silent, her eyes darkening with apprehension.
“Who are you?” she demanded, her voice steady despite the rising anxiety.
Very few people were aware of Lavern’s infidelity.
The caller’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “Just come over, Ms. Finley. You’ll discover who I am when you arrive.”
With that, the line went dead.
Marina stared at her phone, her mind spinning with a torrent of thoughts.
It felt like an eternity before she finally shook herself back to reality and made her way to her car.
Twelve hours remained until the clock struck 10 PM.
With her connections and resources, gathering one million wasn’t insurmountable.
Yet, an unsettling feeling gnawed at her, refusing to let go.
This unexpected call had completely derailed her day.
Taking a deep breath, Marina steeled herself and began to gather the cash.
Remarkably, she managed to assemble the full amount in just one morning.
But as the hours passed, the caller never reached out again; not a single text or call came through.
After securing the cash in her trunk, Marina drove aimlessly around the city, her mind racing as she waited for the caller to make their next move.
As she passed a shop selling funeral offerings, she hesitated for a moment before stepping inside and purchasing a bag of joss paper, placing it in her trunk alongside the cash.
Finally, at 9 PM, the caller’s message came through.
“Ms. Finley, it’s almost time for our meeting. I hope you have the cash ready?”
Conclusion
As the shadows of the day began to stretch into the night, both Carrie and Marina stood at the precipice of their choices, each grappling with their own sense of duty and betrayal. Carrie, once filled with a fierce determination to protect her son’s interests, now felt the weight of complicity in a scheme that could irreparably damage the fragile bonds of love and trust. The urgency of the wedding loomed over her, a reminder that time was slipping away, and with it, the chance to confront the truth. Meanwhile, Marina, unaware of the storm brewing around her, clung to her plans while feeling a deep-seated unease about her future with Lavern. The juxtaposition of their emotions created a palpable tension, as both women prepared to face the consequences of their decisions, each believing they were acting in the best interests of those they loved.
As the clock ticked closer to the fateful hour, the paths of Carrie and Marina intertwined in a web of secrets and lies, each woman poised to make choices that would alter the course of their lives forever. Carrie’s resolve had hardened, but the fear of losing Lavern’s love and respect gnawed at her conscience. On the other hand, Marina’s determination to safeguard her future was clouded by the ominous threat of the unknown, leaving her to question the very foundation of her relationship with Lavern. In the end, both women were left to confront the haunting realization that the winds of change were upon them, carrying with them the lost promises of their pasts, and the uncertain futures they were about to forge. The night held its breath, waiting to unveil the truth that would define them all.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, anticipation will build as Carrie and Shawna’s plan unfolds, forcing Carrie to confront the precarious balance between her love for her son and her growing animosity toward Marina. With the wedding just hours away, Carrie must navigate her mounting fears regarding Marina’s influence over Lavern, while grappling with the moral implications of her and Shawna’s scheme. Will she find the courage to execute their plan, or will her maternal instincts compel her to protect Marina instead? The stakes are high, and the emotional turmoil promises to reach a boiling point.
Meanwhile, Marina’s impending confrontation with the mysterious caller will add layers of tension and uncertainty. As she prepares to meet the enigmatic figure who threatens her future and Lavern’s, viewers will be left wondering what secrets will be unveiled. The clock is ticking, and with each passing moment, the potential for betrayal looms larger. Will Marina uncover the truth about Lavern’s alleged infidelity and the potential dangers facing the Ross Group? Or will her desperation to protect her interests lead her down a dark path? The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of revelations and choices that will irrevocably alter the lives of all involved.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
